Silver-TiO2 coated D-shaped photonic crystal fiber based SPR sensor for ultrasensitive refractive index detection: design and FEM analysis

Abstract

Abstract Photonic crystal fiber (PCF) based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensors are emerging as a promising technology for ultrasensitive detection of various biological and chemical analytes. This paper presents a novel D-shaped PCF based SPR sensor, which has shown great potential for highly sensitive detection of refractive index (RI) changes. The D-shaped configuration is achieved through the polishing of the upper side of the PCF fiber. To enhance sensitivity, a 0.1 μm silver layer is strategically placed between the fiber and analyte, intensifying light–matter interactions. Additionally, a 0.05 μm titanium dioxide (TiO2) layer is employed not only to further boost sensitivity but also to shield the metal from oxidation, ensuring the longevity and stability of the sensor. The finite element method (FEM) is employed to optimize the structural parameters of the sensor design. The findings demonstrate that the proposed SPR sensor is sensitive to RI changes in the 1.31–1.35 range, achieving a peak wavelength sensitivity of 30000 nm RIU−1 and an amplitude sensitivity of −185.33 RIU−1. The sensor holds promise for diverse applications, including chemical and biological sensing, making it a versatile tool with promising implications for advancing sensing technologies in various domains.